When Hizashi knelt down, Hoshiyomi already had a rough idea of what he intended to say. Sure enough, the next moment Hizashi spoke anxiously:
"I don't know if the two of you have heard of the Caged Bird.
In the Hyūga clan, once a new Clan Head is established, all members of the branch family must have the Caged Bird seal placed on them.
This is our clan's tradition, and I shouldn't be telling outsiders about it.
But I truly cannot bear to see my child, Neji, bound for life by that seal.
So I beg the two of you to speak on our behalf—please persuade my father to remove Neji's Caged Bird seal.
If the two of you can do this, I, Hizashi, will willingly go through fire and water for you."
Tsunade frowned slightly upon hearing this.
If she had encountered something like this alone, she would most likely have refused.
Even though speaking up for Neji—whom she had just met—would be an easy task for her, this was not the kind of favor one could casually grant.
For one, she and Hizashi had no close relationship; for her to step in and challenge the authority of the entire Hyūga clan solely for his sake would be unreasonable.
And secondly, once that precedent was set—removing Neji's seal today—what about tomorrow?
Would another father kneel at her doorstep asking her to free his child as well?
As always, the problem is not scarcity, but inequality.
If Neji himself didn't have the strength or talent to overturn the Hyūga system on his own, then even if she helped him now, it would ultimately be meaningless.
It might even create tension between Konoha and the Hyūga, and worsen the internal chaos of the clan.
But right now she wasn't acting alone—her man was right beside her.
Whether Hoshiyomi agreed or refused, Tsunade would support him unconditionally.
Thinking this, she turned to look at Hoshiyomi, intending to ask for his opinion.
Hoshiyomi, standing beside her, felt both sympathetic and displeased as he looked at the kneeling Hizashi.
If Hizashi hadn't spoken out impulsively like this, Hoshiyomi could have handled everything smoothly.
If Hizashi had remained silent, Hoshiyomi could simply have remarked before leaving that Neji had potential and that he intended to take him as a disciple.
Later, he could casually express that the Caged Bird seal hindered Neji's training.
Given the Hyūga clan's current situation, they would certainly choose to remove Neji's seal in order to curry favor with him.
And with Hoshiyomi as a special case, he could easily suppress any discontent within the clan.
But now that Hizashi had publicly begged for it, everything was different.
If Hoshiyomi helped remove Neji's seal now, the nature of the situation would change entirely, making a clean resolution much more difficult.
Looking at Hizashi, whose head was lowered so far he seemed ready to kowtow, Hoshiyomi let out a long sigh.
Things had already come to this; he couldn't go back on his earlier intentions just because Hizashi lost his composure.
But Neji would have to endure the pain of the Caged Bird for a few more years.
If blame was to be placed, it was on Hizashi for acting rashly.
Having made up his mind, Hoshiyomi cast a cold glance at Hizashi and spoke with clear displeasure:
"Do you really think I need you to go through fire and water for me?
Even if you pledged your life to me, what could you accomplish that I cannot do myself?"
Hizashi's face instantly turned ashen.
Hoshiyomi's words were harsh—but also brutally true.
They were dealing with someone who stood at the very pinnacle of power—within Konoha, and even the entire shinobi world.
If he truly grew angry, the entire Hyūga clan might not survive his wrath.
What right did he, a mere branch family member, have to casually speak of "going through fire and water" to request such a favor?
While Hizashi sat there, pale as death and unable to speak, his brother Hiashi saw everything and grew increasingly anxious.
The two brothers were as close as real siblings.
If not for the pressure of their father—Hinata's grandfather—and the clan elders, Hiashi would have long since helped Neji remove the Caged Bird.
That was also why he did not immediately stop Hizashi earlier.
In his heart, he too hoped that Hoshiyomi would help Neji break free from the seal.
But as the situation was unfolding now, Hizashi's plan had not only failed—it seemed to have faintly offended Hoshiyomi.
Under such circumstances, only he, the older brother, could try to clean up the mess.
Forcing a smile, Hiashi rose and bowed deeply to Hoshiyomi, preparing to smooth things over for Hizashi—
but before he could speak, Hoshiyomi, still visibly displeased, spoke again:
"I've heard a thing or two about your Hyūga clan's Caged Bird.
To be honest, deep down I do not approve of such a system.
But it is a Hyūga tradition—I have no right to interfere.
However, now that you've come begging me, I must say something.
Not about the pros and cons of the Caged Bird, but about you, as a father, being foolish!"
Seeing Hizashi's ashen face as he tried to speak, Hoshiyomi raised a hand to cut him off and continued:
"I know you wish for me to remove Neji's Caged Bird because you love him.
But Hyūga Hizashi—have you thought about the consequences of kneeling here today?
Even if I agree to help you—
even if I use my influence to force your father to remove Neji's seal—what then?
Look at your Hyūga clan.
Who would support such a thing?
Who would believe Neji deserved to be freed from the Caged Bird?
They would only think Neji's freedom was bought through your groveling.
They would mock him for having the seal removed in such an unclear, shameful way.
They would mock him for having a father who kneels and begs.
Tell me—do you think Neji could hold his head high because of this?
He would bow his head even lower—
for having a disgraceful father.
You might free him from the Caged Bird on his forehead…
but you would turn him into a different kind of caged bird."
Hizashi's face flushed from deathly white to burning red.
In nearly forty years of life, it was the first time he truly understood the meaning of utter humiliation.
And when he imagined the life Neji would face if freed through such means, his body trembled uncontrollably.
He nearly collapsed to the floor.
Even Tsunade couldn't bear to watch anymore; she knew it was time for her to step in.
Gently tugging on Hoshiyomi's sleeve, she smoothed things over:
"Dear, there's no need to be so harsh.
Hizashi already understands his mistake.
He acted out of love for his child.
Just pretend nothing happened today."
Seeing his wife perfectly grasp the intent behind his words and gestures, Hoshiyomi felt a sense of warmth.
He was just about to give Hizashi a graceful way out when suddenly, a young voice rang out:
"Father—Lord Hoshiyomi is right.
Even if you removed my Caged Bird today, I would not be happy.
You don't need to worry about it anymore.
Just watch—I will break the Caged Bird with my own strength!"